Happy Friday! Have you ever had the urge to visit a location or experience a certain meal because it came highly recommended by someone? Then the more you heard about an event or a restaurant you became convinced that you had to experience it for yourself and without delay? Yesterday, we read on the Philippian church and their faithfulness in sharing the word of the Lord – the Good News of Jesus Christ. Join me as we finish our reading in chapter one (1) and see how their experiences drove others to follow Christ.

Bible verse – 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 NLT

“⁸ And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, ⁹ for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. ¹⁰ And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.”

Reflection

Apostle Paul continued his praise for the believers in Thessalonica. He was convinced that their faithfulness to the word of God and the demonstration of their faith was genuine and powerful. Their faith echoed from their lips to various regions beyond their home towns. I loved how Paul wrote (paraphrased by me) – we don’t need to tell people about your faithfulness, people are telling us about you and your faithfulness. As imitators of Christ, the Philippian believers had turned away from idols and walked/lived out what they believed.

The joy that must have warmed Apostle Paul’s heart – to hear that those who he ministered to, were now ministering to others in ways he never anticipated. Can you imagine him pondering over the first time he met the believers, their acceptance of the faith, and his abrupt departure, yet his deep since of joy because he planted a seed that was flourishing beyond his imagination? I’m certain upon his reflection that he was grieved to leave them, but he knew the Lord had other plans. The Lord proved himself faithful and assured Paul through the messages he received from others about the Thessalonian believers that his work and difficulties in the region were not in vain.

Sisters and brothers, think about being in an area where you can hear your voice echo. Maybe it is on a mountain top or somewhere else. Can you imagine it – you yell out and you hear it echo through the sky? It’s exciting and amazing at the same time. That is like the word of God, when we share it wherever we go in word or deed it echos to places we have know idea where it will reach and/or how it will change lives.

Over the weekend, reflect on yesterday’s and today’s verses and think about how the Lord desires to use you. Pray for a surrendered heart, for the ability to rid yourself of false idols, and commit to following and being imitators of Christ.

Are you ready?

Who will hear about your experience with Christ and His transforming power in your life?

Prayer

Father God, thank you for carrying us through another week. Thank you for your faithfulness to us and for not leaving us. Lord, we know that we can always count on you to guide and shape us to be more like Christ each day. Help us to turn away from things that take our attention away from you. Lord, strengthen our faith, make us bold and courageous enough to point others to you. In Jesus name, amen.

——–

Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: prayerrequest@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://biblegateway.com

Copyright ©️ 2020-2021 Mary E. White Ministries, all rights reserved.